We were referred to this organization and we were highly impressed. Our guide, Theodore, was very knowledgeable and spoke slowly and clearly so it was easy to follow. He took us all around the key landmarks and was extremely helpful, even about where to eat and who has the best gelato. We thoroughly enjoyed our experience and would recommend using this tour group.
About Activity
What's Included
Includes
- Freezer in the vehicle
- Luxury new Mercedes only High-end vehicles for maximum comfort and safety
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Professional tour driver with deep knowledge of history
- Pick up /drop off from your accommodation in Athens
Excludes
Departure & Return
Departure Point
- Traveler pick up offered
Itinerary
Our Athens full day tour starts from the most important archaeological site the Acropolis, the so called sacred rock. On the Acropolis you will admire the Parthenon the temple that was dedicated primarily to its patron the goddess Athena, the Erectheion temple with its famous female figures the Caryatides, the temple of Athena Nike (victorious Athena), Propylaea, the monumental gateway of the Acropolis, Herodus Atticus Odeon, the ruins of the Theatre of Dionysus and finally the Areopagus (Mars hill).
The Parthenon the temple that was dedicated primarily to its patron the goddess Athena, symbol of Athens and democracy
The Propylaia is the classical Greek Doric building complex that functioned as the monumental ceremonial gateway to the Acropolis of Athens. Built between 437 and 432 BC by Mnesikles.
The Erechtheion, designed by the architect Mnesikles, was a temple dedicated to Athena and Poseidon.
Temple dedicated to the goddess Athena Nike or Wingless Victory.
A stone Roman theatre. that was built in AD 161 by Herodes Atticus in memory of his Roman wife
After lunch, we will head towards the Temple of Zeus, the biggest temple in antiquity, devoted to the King of the Gods.
It was built as a ''thank you'' to Hadrian for completing the construction of the temple of Zeus.
A large palatial building next to the National Gardens of Athens in the heart of Athens, generally used for meetings and ceremonies, both official and private and is one of the city's most renowned modern landmarks
Next you will visit the Panathenaic Stadium, the stadium where the modern Olympic Games were held in 1896.
A great example of the 19th-century landscape architecture (English style). Its construction began in 1839 and its subsequent development is directly linked to the founding of the Modern Greek state and the development of the city of Athens in a modern European capital.
Next driving alongside the National Garden, we will see the changing of the guard (Euzones) in front of the old palace, which is today Parliament House, above the central square of Athens, Syntagma. The square is named after the Constitution that Otto, the first King of Greece, was obliged to grant after a popular and military uprising on 3 September 1843.
We will see the changing of the guard (Euzones) in front of the old palace, which is today Parliament House, above the central square of Athens.The Hellenic Parliament, in Greek known as Voulí ton Ellínon is the parliament of Greece, located in the Old Royal Palace, overlooking Syntagma Square in Athens. The Parliament is the supreme democratic institution that represents the citizens through an elected body of Members of Parliament.
The Academy Building constitutes one of three parts in an “architectural trilogy”. It was founded with the Constitutional Decree of March 18th, 1926, as an Academy of Sciences, Humanities and Fine Arts.
The National Library of Greece is the main public library of Greece, located in Athens founded by Ioannis Kapodistrias
The National and Kapodistrian University of Athens is the largest state institution of higher learning in Greece, and among the largest universities in Europe. The splendid Athens University was designed by the Danish architect Christian Hansen and completed in 1864.
Next we will drive up the highest hill of Athens, Lycabettus Hill, where you’ll have the best panoramic view of the city, from the hill of Acropolis to the Aegean Sea
Language Offered
Additional Info
Cancellation Policy
Reviews
Amazing 1/2 day private tour to top spots in Athens Wonderful knowledgeable guide
The Athens Half Day Private Tour was wonderful. It was so convenient. They picked us up right at our hotel. Our tour guide Petros did a fabulous job. He was so personable and very informative. We enjoyed it very much. I would highly recommend this tour.
Theodore is the most amazing travel guide you will find to show you around Athens His knowledge about Athens and Greece is second to none I would highly recommend and I will definitely be using him again !
We had a wonderful time with Andreas. He was exceptionally patience. Very courteous and had a good knowledge of the area. He went above and beyond and showed aid the major attractions in such a start time short time. I would highly recommend this company.
Such an amazing tour of Athens and airport pickup/drop off package. We were a large family with small children and this tour was perfect. Comfortable and fun! I would highly recommend to anyone wanting knowledgeable service and English speaking driver and guides.
Theodore and his team were excellent . We did a multi day tour and everything was arranged with comfortable vehicles . Door to door service plus shared in depth knowledge about Greek culture and mythology made the trip memorable. Ty Theodore we hope to return soon.
Theodore and Costa were very informative and friendly. By the end of the day we felt like they were part of the family. We were a family group of 9 people, so Theodore organised a 2nd vehicle to accommodate us. They made sure all our needs were met and they truly are very knowledgeable about all the sites we went to see. We would highly recommend them🤩🇬🇷
I can’t rave enough about Exceptional Tours. Theodore made us feel like we now have a new family in Greece. We were taken to places I never knew existed. Introduced to the coffee, the food, the myths and the beauty of Greece. I will never forget my fascination with Athena the Ancient Greek goddess. And now I can say - thanks to Theodore - I know why they call it “extra virgin olive oil”. I will let you hear the story from him. Not only was he our tour guide he picked us up and dropped us off at airport, and picked us up and dropped us off on our cruise ship. Theodore set up tours for us in Santorini which was just as spectacular and beautiful as Greece. He checked in on us when we were on our own in Greece before the cruise, and was there to meet us as we got off the ship. Theodore even went above and beyond on the last day in Greece helping me find Greek basketball cards for my grandsons. Stopping at every kiosk along our tour. I would never use anyone else’s services in Greece . I feel like we left Greece knowing and seeing things I never dreamed of and also left behind a new family member.
We cannot recommend Exceptional Tours Greece highly enough! Theodore planned an incredible two 1/2 days Athens experience for our family and made everything completely seamless from start to finish. He picked us up promptly from our cruise ship, handled all the logistics, purchased our tickets, and created an itinerary that allowed us to see everything we wanted to see in Athens in a short amount of time. As he drove us around the city, he shared fascinating information about the sights and history, making the experience both enjoyable and educational. One of the highlights was the outstanding private guide, Nancy, he arranged for us at the museums and the Agora. Theodore took us to authentic local restaurants that served some of the best food we had during our time in Greece. What truly set Theodore apart was his exceptional customer service. He was incredibly accommodating when we needed to adjust our pickup time, and he even provided transportation to the airport at the end of our stay. He was always friendly, personable, and kind, and after every stop in the Athens heat, we returned to the car to find cold bottles of water waiting for us. Theodore made Greece an unforgettable experience for us. His attention to detail, hospitality, and genuine care for his guests are unmatched. If you’re visiting Athens and want a stress-free, personalized, and memorable experience, Exceptional Tours Greece is the way to go!
From the moment I received my first response to my web inquiry, I realized that I had found the right company to guide us through the 3 days we would be spending (pre Adriatic cruise) in Athens. “At your service” was an understatement! Door to door service for me and my wife,, expert guide with in depth knowledge of the history, understanding that 1/2 day tours may work better for us because of our 7 hr time zone difference. Our beachside dinner just below the Temple of Poseidon, followed by sunset photos was a true highlight of our 3 days! THANK YOU THEODORE!
We booked with Theodore at Exceptional tours I can’t say enough good things about this company. The cost was very reasonable. Constantine was our guide on all five tours that we chose. The owner Theodore met with us at several locations to ensure we were enjoying our tour. Constantine was professional, courteous, happy and EXTREMELY KNOWLEDGEABLE. He made the tours come alive with the history of Greece. FANTASTIC COMPANY AND GUIDE. HIGHLY RECOMMEND.
Theodore was great with communication and our guide for the day Cos was so knowledgeable. We had a family of six with grandparents all the way down to a 2 year old. The team catered to each group and made sure everyone was comfortable and happy. Our driver even came back to our hotel after drop off when we realized we left a pair of sunglasses in the car. Athens is massive but we left feeling like we had a great feeling for the city thanks to the tour we booked with Theodore and Cos. 5 stars. Fully recommend!
My wife and I had a wonderful time in Athens. We opted for a private tour for half a day since our schedule would only allow for such visit (we were getting on a cruise). While our tour was brief, we had such an awesome and memorable experience. The timing could not have been perfect. It was spring time and on a Saturday. Traffic and crowd was light. Our tour director (Theodore) picked us up from our hotel early which allowed for a great start to our tour. We visited many must visit sites in Athens. Our schedule was flexible that it even allowed for a time to enjoy the best Gyro in Athens. We also had some time to pick up some souvenirs. Theodore was both very enthusiastic and knowledgeable. This tour was very comprehensive and enjoyable. I highly recommend this tour.
I thoroughly enjoyed the trip. I planned a 10 hour layover in Athens and worked with Theodore to plan the trip. He picked me up from the airport on time for our planned trip Theodore had the trip planned well with amble time for each attraction. He had the Acropolis tickets booked and we were there on time. He is very knowledgeable about Greek an d Roman civilizations and his comments added a lot to the sites. It was very helpful for a person with limited knowledge of Greek civilization. He was very pleasant to deal with and made the whole trip lots of fun. If you have time, ask him to take you to an authentic Greek restaurant away from the tourist areas. Well worth it
I cannot express how grateful I am that I booked our tour and car services with Theodore! From start to finish, he was incredibly responsive, professional, and kind—handling every unexpected challenge with grace and efficiency. Despite the travel strikes and unpredictable weather in Greece, Theodore made sure everything ran smoothly. He constantly stayed in touch, adjusted our itinerary on short notice, and ensured we always had reliable transportation to the ferry and the airport. When the weather forced a change of plans, he immediately pivoted and arranged a wonderful visit to a beautiful vineyard outside of Athens—one of the highlights of our trip. The half-day tour of Athens with Petros was equally amazing. Petros was knowledgeable, engaging, and made the city come alive for us. The delicious lunch that followed was the perfect ending to an unforgettable day. Theodore’s flexibility, quick thinking, and genuine care turned what could have been a stressful trip into a memorable and enjoyable experience. He handled every curveball with professionalism and warmth, ensuring we were comfortable and happy throughout. I truly cannot recommend him enough! Theodore and his team truly are your guardian angels in Greece!
We traveled to Athens end of September 2025 to embark on a Viking cruise. We got to Athens a few days early and wanted to do a private tour 3 couples. I contacted Theodore the owner a month or so before our trip to get information on the Athens half day tour. He was very professional and got back to me right away I had a lot of questions and he answered them all in a timely manner. Our tour guide John picked us up at our hotel and we saw the best of Athens. John was very good and knowledgeable and made sure we saw all that we should see in Athens. We then decided to do another tour with them and go to Cape Sounion a day later. We had Dimitris that day and he was awesome as well. After we got on our Viking Cruise we found out our tour in Santorini was cancelled so I contacted Theodore and he hooked us up with a private tour in Santorini which was awesome as well. I would highly recommend Theodore and his company EXCEPTIONAL Tours.
Our pick up from the airport and entire tour was perfect! Dimetri, our driver and guide, could not have not been nicer and more informative. We saw many interesting sights after our pick up, the Acropolis, changing of the guard, and many more sights before being dropped off at our cruise terminal at 3;00. If we could give him 6 stars, I would!
My wife and I spent two great half days with John. He was full of great information, very personable, and professional. He made the trip very enjoyable and informative. He arranged the tours to maximize the little time we had in Athens and show us the very best of what it had to offer. I highly recommend this tour and especially this driver. I would definitely use them again in the future.
Joined the half day Athens Private Tour after finished the 9 days Greek Isles cruise. Theodore was so great and during the booking process, he said he has no problem pick us up at the Port Piraeus and drop us off at the Athens International Airport after the tour. I need this arrangement as I had two eldery people in this trip. At 7:30am, we disembarked from the cruise and he was already waiting for us. He helped us loading the luggages to the Mercedes van and gave us a quick summary where we will be visiting - Acropolis, Olympieion (Temple of Zeus), Changing of the guard at the tomb, Panathenaic Stadium, top of the mountain to see the overview of Athens etc. He said we can customize the places but since this is the first time visiting Athens, we let him to make the decision. First stop is Acropolis. He already got the entry ticket in advance so we don't have line up and able to use express entry. It was around 8:20am - some tours start arriving but we were able to beat the crowd. After we finished, there are so many people from the tours starting coming in but we are already done... nice and easy. After Acropolis, we continue to the rest of the famous spots that I mentioned above and everything was so smooth... the car air conditioning was excellent (very cool) and he gave us as many bottle water as we need. Timing is not rush and he makes sure we had an opportunity to see everything and able to take pictures. During the tour, he gave us a lot of information about Athens - history, stories about Ancient Greek... they were very interesting and we learned so much after the tour. Theodore - thank you so much. You made this short trip memorable. Too bad we had to take the afternoon flight back home or otherwise we will choose the full day tour option. Highly recommend to anyone who will visit Athens and require private tour - a must option if you have elderly people in your trip. I rate this company 5+ out of 5 stars.
Theodore and Alex were wonderful!!! Highly recommend the half day Athens tour!!! We weee a party of 6 and had a great time!!
Theo and his team were fantastic. Very professional and attentive to our needs. They were very flexible and knowledgeable
We had a phenomenal experience during our half day Athens tour and highly recommend it to anyone who wants to see the major sites of Athens! Theodore was really great to work with and organized everything for us ahead of time including transports and day itinerary before we arrived in Greece. Petros was an amazing tour guide that was super personable and very knowledgeable about everything to know about the history of Athens and the surrounding islands. Petros had a wealth of knowledge, provided us with local tips for the rest of the trip, and had a cooler of cold water bottles / great AC in the car for us while we were exploring in the heat. If you are visiting Athens you need to book this tour!! 10/10
Theodore was amazing ! This was my second time here within the past year for myself but this time I brought my children and husband. He catered to the kids and knew what they could handle and couldn’t. I also reached out to him super last minute and he was able to make it work ! I couldn’t thank him enough and would definitely recommend him over and over again :)
We had an incredible morning with Theodore as he started us at the Acropolis before the crowds and heat. He did a great job with history and background before dropping us at each location. Provided cold waters along the way that were much appreciated. Toilet stop when needed, wonderful lunch recommendation. We then went on to book our airport drop-off with him the next day for our large group. Highly recommend taking a tour with his company. You will not be disappointed!! We will be in touch on our next visit to Greece!
My family and I enjoyed a wonderful day with John from Exceptional Tours Greece. John was very knowledgeable, respectful, accommodating, and respectful of our time. We had a day in and around Corinth in a newer, clean luxury vehicle. The experience was well worth the cost of the experience. Ask for John, he is the best tour guide… ask for John!
It was absolutely breathtaking. Theodore made this experience ten times better with his knowledge and welcoming energy and everything we saw was beautiful!
Our tour guide Theodore was great! He taught us many things about Greek mythology and Ancient Greek sites. Overall it was a great experience and we had a blast!
Amazing tour with the very knowledgeable and enthusiastic John. Friendly and accommodating. Very professional and always on time. Communication and planning was ongoing before and during the trip. Will recommend to everyone I know.
From the moment I started planning our trip with Theodore at Exceptional Tours Greece, the entire process was seamless. Theodore handled every detail with such professionalism that I didn’t have to worry about a thing. The itinerary he put together was exactly what we hoped for — perfectly organized and tailored to our family. When we arrived in Athens, we were warmly greeted by John, our driver and guide for two unforgettable days. John was absolutely fantastic. On our first day, he took us to Corinth, sharing insightful history and fascinating stories that brought the ancient world to life. The next day, he guided us through all the iconic sites of Athens — and made sure we saw it all without feeling rushed. John wasn’t just informative and knowledgeable — he was incredibly personable. He made us feel like we were traveling with a longtime friend. Our teenage boys especially connected with him, which made the experience even more special for our family. We cannot recommend Exceptional Tours Greece, Theodore, and John highly enough. They delivered a truly stress-free, engaging, and memorable experience from start to finish. If you want to enjoy Greece without the hassle of planning and with guides who genuinely care, this is the team you want.
Theodore was an exceptional tour guide. The private tour was so relaxed yet so fulfilling. We never felt rushed, and it was super flexible which was absolutely amazing. He was very kind and knew so much that I felt like we really got the best experience out of our time and money. Theodore took the time to make sure we were comfortable and that we were getting the full Athens experience. He checked in with us to constantly and was very attentive to us. Theodore told us suggestions on where to explore after the tour was done, and even gave us directions to help us afterwards so we didnt get lost. He didn’t need to do that, nor did we ask he just immediately helped us. On top of that, he offered and arranged a ride for us back to the airport so we felt comfortable and safe on our journey back home. He went above and beyond what was your typical tour guides responsibilities. Loved it and would recommend him and his company to everyone we know. Go here for your tours!!!!!!
The tour was at our own pace, very flexible and truly gave us the full athens experience. Theodore was helpful and knowledgeable about the city and went above and beyond with helpful suggestions about our stay after the tour. Definitely one of the best tours available. Highly recommend!!! Thank you Theodore!!
We went to so many places and saw so much! Theodore was able to give us so much local information and history, and take us to many wonderful places. We were so happy with our day- thanks Theo!
Exceptional Tours Greece was EXCELLENT!!!! We were so blessed to have this tour company for our family vacation . Theodore, made it an amazing experience for us. So if you are looking for a quality experience , do choose Exceptional Tours Greece company for your travel experience in Greece.
Our family of four, with two adults and two young kids, had a fantastic half-day tour of Athens with Exceptional Tours Greece. From start to finish, the experience was smooth and enjoyable. Our driver, John, was incredibly friendly and knowledgeable. He made it easy to get around the city comfortably in a brand-new black Mercedes van. They even provided booster seats for the kids at no extra cost and had cold water ready for us, which was a thoughtful touch. I planned everything with Theodore, who made the process simple. He took care of our Acropolis tickets and scheduled our entry time, which saved us the hassle of organizing it ourselves. I highly recommend this service to any families visiting Athens. It made our time in the city even more memorable.
Theodore was helpful, friendly and exceptionally knowledgeable. Went above and beyond anything I expected and I’m very grateful for his friend Lynn is and his helpfulness. He even looked up the place so I could get some dinner to go to take back to my hotel. It sounds silly, but I feel like he treated me like I was a long time, friend.
Wonderful. Our tour guide Giannis was very informative of past and current history of Athens, Corinth and the trip between the areas. Also a great driver. He go us to our destinations on time and made the ride very clam. Christina our Tour Guide at the old town on Corinth and museum was very informative. She did a great job teaching my family (including kids) of Corinth’s history and the Bible’s influence on it. We would use them again in the future.
Our tour with our guide John was truly an exceptional experience. John gave us a wonderful memory of Athens to take home with us. He took us to the best sights and got up close and personal, telling us much information along the way. Do not miss taking this tour of course the acropolis is not to be missed and we enjoyed the changing of the guards so much. Thank you to John for a wonderful tour
John provided a wonderful experience and couldn’t have been more attentive on our tour to Cape Sounios. He even turned on some perfect weather and the ancient temple was amazing in a picturesque setting. John’s knowledgeable commentary and easy conversation made the trip even more worthwhile.
Gianni was an amazing tour guide. Very knowledgeable and fun to be with. Saw all the highlights of Athens area and was amazing driving in the Athena traffic. We booked him last minute and are so grateful he could squeeze our group in before the weekend when he was completely booked. Two thumbs up for this great tour and guide! Highly recommend
Theodore was on time, attentive and very knowledgeable. He picked us up from our hotel, had cold water for us and great hints and tips on how to get the most out of our half day tour on Athens. His air conditioned new Mercedes van was pristine, and his driving so good in the traffic and narrow streets. We highly recommend Exceptional Tours Greece.
Our 1/2 day tour was absolutely perfect. Theodore made the entire booking process quick and efficient. He picked us up at our hotel and we soon felt at home with him. He was extremely knowledgeable about everything Athens. The vehicle was 1st class. He took us to the less crowded but just as amazing sites. He was also very flexible, modifying the tour as we went. We left as friends for life. We wholeheartedly recommend Exceptional Tours Greece and Theodore for an amazing time in Greece.
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